</font></u><font color="#0000FF"><u><font size="4">NEWS
ARTICLES ABOUT THE NEW YORK FOOTBALL GIANTS ARE POSTED DAILY AND
UPDATES ARE ADDED THROUGHOUT THE DAY. GENERAL SPORTS NEWS LINKS ARE
ALSO INCLUDED.

"The contract strife that has clouded the relationship between the Giants (http://www.nj.com/giants/) and defensive end Osi Umenyiora for
the past few years seemingly has come to an end.

The Giants announced today that the club has reworked Umenyiora's contract.
The terms of which were not disclosed but the team announced the deal was
"restructured," as opposed to extended longer than this upcoming season.</p>

"I appreciate Osi’s patience and effort through this process,” Giants general
manager Jerry Reese said in an announcement released by the team. “We talked it
out, and it makes sense for everybody involved. We are very pleased, excited and
looking forward to seeing number 72 on the field at Monday’s OTA.”</p>

Said Umenyiora, "This gives me peace of mind, definitely. We just resolved a
situation. It really was affecting me in a bad way. Because I didn’t like all
the negativity that was surrounding the whole situation. I couldn’t stand it,
because if you know me, you know I’m not that type of person. I’m just happy all
that is over with and I’ll be there. I’ll play out this contract, I’ll play this
year and I’ll play my heart out.”</p>

Umenyiora's absence from the Giants' voluntary organized training activities
this offseason has been conspicuous. There had been much speculation about
whether he would show up for the only mandatory event of the spring, which is
the full-squad minicamp from June 11-13.</p>

The mystery has now been eliminated. Umenyiora said in the team's release he
will be alongside his teammates Monday.</p>

The financial terms of the contract have yet to be fully revealed but someone
informed of the communcation between the sides said the Giants were recently
offering a bump to the final season of Umenyiora's contract. The person
requested anonymity because the negotiations were to remain private.</p>

Umenyiora was scheduled to earn $3.975 million in base salary this season.
The person said the Giants were offering to add $2-2.5 million in a signing
bonus plus another $500,000 or so in a roster bonus and one more bonus if he
reaches 10 sacks. The offer included an easily voidable 2013 season, which would
allow the team to spread the cap hit over two seasons. It's unclear if the final
agreement wound up in that range, but it's likely close to those numbers.</p>

The Giants' offer (which, again, is likely in the neighborhood of the final
deal) would benefit both sides because the team would get another season out of
a two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher while Umenyiora, 30, would basically double his
salary this season while setting himself up for a big payday next offseason as
an unrestricted free agent. The carrot of hitting the market next spring also
helps the Giants, as Umenyiora will remain motivated this season to prove he
deserves a big contract.</p>

Umenyiora <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/05/giants_osi_umenyiora_fires_age.html">confirmed
to The Star-Ledger Thursday he parted ways with agent Tony Agnone</a> this week.
The timing of the firing and the contract extension indicates Agnone might have
been a road block to this deal. (Not to mention the 3 percent fee Agnone would
have received. On a contract of $7.5 million, that's $225,000 Umenyiora gets to
keep. 7:00 p.m. UPDATE I'm told Umenyiora would still owe his original agent
on the money that was negotiated back in 2006. So he'd save the fee on the $3
million or so extra, which would equate to $100,000-plus.)</p>

Politics aside, Umenyiora is pleased to put aside haggling over a new
contract, which has been drawn out through the end of the NFL lockout last
summer.</p>

“I’m just happy, I’m happy all that’s over with,” Umenyiora said. “It’s time
to get back to work. It was definitely frustrating (not being on the field this
spring), but <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/05/giants_mathias_kiwanuka_comes.html">hearing
some of the things they said, whether it was Kiwi</a> or (Justin) Tuck or (Jason
Pierre-Paul) or Antrel (Rolle) – hearing the way they supported me, it made me
want to come back even more and be around them. Those guys really stepped up for
me. I really appreciate it and I’m happy to be here with them."</p>

"Unable to get a new contract or a trade to another team to this point, Osi
Umenyiora has parted ways with his agent of five years, Tony Agnone.

The Giants (http://www.nj.com/giants)' two-time Pro Bowl
defensive end confirmed what Liz Mullen of Sports Business Journal was picking
up on when she noted on Wednesday <a href="https://twitter.com/SBJLizMullen/status/207938314559422464">Agnone was no
longer listed on the NFL Players Association's website</a> as being Umenyiora's
agent. Agnone told Mullen he hadn't received a termination notice but Umenyiora
claims he's fired Agnone.</p>

Well, so to speak.</p>

"Fired is too harsh a word," Umenyiora wrote, though he made it clear that's
what's occurred. "I just came to the conclusion that this situation I don't
think he can help me with."</p>

This is actually the second time Umenyiora has fired Agnone this offseason,
according to someone informed of Umenyiora's dealings with Agnone. The person,
who requested anonymity because the first firing wasn't reported and went
largely unnoticed, said Agnone convinced Umenyiora to rehire him because he was
confident he could reach a contract extension with the Giants or get him dealt
elsewhere.</p>

"I have no agent currently," he wrote, "and I'm not really looking for
one."</p>

Agnone, who could not be immediately reached for comment, has been
Umenyiora's agent since the 2007 offseason, only a few months after Umenyiora
signed a six-year contract extension that was in essence a seven-year deal
because he was already under contract for the '07 season. Umenyiora hired Agnone
at the suggestion of Michael Strahan, whom Agnone also represented. (Agnone's
firm, Eastern Athletic Services, currently represents Giants guard Chris
Snee.)</p>

Umenyiora fired his first agents and signed with EAS because, as he's said a
few times, he believed the deal he was signing was only for five "new" seasons
and would run through 2011, not 2012. Umenyiora and Agnone have been squabbling
with the Giants for a few years now and have had a few standoffs, including last
summer when the Giants granted Agnone permission to seek a trade and then <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2011/08/giants_tell_osi_umenyiora_agen.html">told
Agnone he was no longer allowed to do so</a>.</p>

Umenyiora is under contract for this season at a base salary of $3.925
million. He recently claimed the Giants' latest offer to him <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/04/giants_osi_umenyiora_says_hes_1.html">contained
only half of the $10.95 million guaranteed Mathias Kiwanuka received</a>.
Kiwanuka is one of a few players who <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/05/giants_mathias_kiwanuka_comes.html">have
recently come to Umenyiora's defense</a>. Justin Tuck said tonight at his annual
billiards tournament to benefit his charity "R.U.S.H for Literacy" he's hopeful
Umenyiora will get a new deal with the Giants.</p>

"Osi's been a part of our success here and I just feel as though he needs to
be rewarded for that. Hopefully, the Giants can do that," Tuck said on the red
carpet outside Slate in Manhattan before the event began. "But you understand
the business. You understand Jerry Reese is going to do everything in his power
and our ownership is going to do everything in their power to put the best team
forward.</p>

"I'm not really picking sides on that; I'm just stating the obvious."</p>

Umenyiora was scheduled to attend Tuck's event, though word was he was to
arrive later. He did not make an appearance during the red-carpet portion of the
event."
</p>GIANTS' HAKEEM NICKS HAS NO DOUBT HE'LL BE READY FOR SEASON OPENER (http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/05/giants_hakeem_nicks_has_no_dou.html)

"Hakeem Nicks doesn't know exactly when he will be cleared to return to the
football field after undergoing surgery last Friday to repair the broken fifth
metatarsal in his right foot. The doctor who performed the surgery told him
players have returned as early as four weeks. The Giants announced it will take
him 12.

One thing Nicks is sure of is that he will be on the field when the Giants
open the 2012 season on Sept. 5 against the Cowboys.</p>

"I don't have any doubt," the fourth-year wide receiver said in a conference
call today.</p>

Nicks said he's going by the 12-week timetable he was given, though he
aspires to return sooner -- perhaps in time for the start of training camp on
July 26 as long as the recovery isn't rushed.</p>

Ahmad Bradshaw, Prince Amukamara and Domenik Hixon have all suffered similar
injuries, and Nicks said he's spoken to each of them in recent days. Hixon said
he needed three months to recover from the same fifth metatarsal fracture before
the start of his rookie season. It took Amukamara nearly 15 weeks to resume play
after he suffered the injury last August.</p>

"You just don't want any setbacks," said Nicks, whose foot is in a walking
boot. "If it takes me 12 weeks, that's what they're giving me so I think that's
what we're going to go by. But my goal is always to come back earlier and we
just don't want any setbacks. We just have to play it smart and get ready for
the season."</p>

<a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/05/giants_hakeem_nicks_hopes_to_b.html">As
Tom Coughlin explained on Tuesday</a>, Nicks said the injury occurred during the
Giants' organized team activity last Thursday on a routine hook route when he
pivoted to turn to the football and heard a pop. He tried to walk it off, but
wasn't able to and was tended to by trainers. He then went inside where X-rays
revealed a broken bone. </p>

Nicks flew down to his hometown of Charlotte the next day and underwent the
surgery, a screw insertion to stabilize the bone. He was told he can begin
biking and elliptical exercises two weeks after the procedure – or about a week
or so from now. </p>

That will be the beginning of the rehabilitation process, which will be a
gradual buildup using various exercises that avoid stress on the foot and simply
eating healthy to stay in the best shape possible.</p>

"I'm going to listen to my body," said Nicks, who needed the big toe on this
left foot repaired following his rookie season. "I'm going to be smart about it.
If I feel something when I'm running, I'm going to tell the coach, I'm going to
tell the trainers. If not, I'm going to keep it going. When I first get back,
I'm not going to be able to jump in and do the whole practice."</p>

Nicks plans on rejoining the team next week and will make the Giants' trip to
the White House on Friday. During the week he will participate in film sessions
during the team's organized team activities and use the time to help himself
with mental reps and add a veteran presence t<a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/05/with_hakeem_nicks_sidelined_gi.html">o
a room full of players hopeful of stepping up in Nicks' absence on the field</a>
– even if it is just during OTAs, veterans minicamp and part of training
camp.</p>

Nicks will be limited to that advisory role for much of the summer, but he
and his teammates are confident he'll be back for the season opener and won't
skip a beat. </p>

"We will have time," Eli Manning said Thursday. "Hakeem has always been a
fast healer. So hopefully he gets healed up quickly and can get back for
training camp – for a good bit of that where we can get our timing down. He is a
guy who knows the offense. He knows what he is doing. It won’t take long for us
to get back on the same page."</p>http://www.nj.com/giants/

A day after Osi Umenyiora (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Osi+Umenyiora) parted
ways with long time representative Tony Agnone, the defensive end agreed to a
restructured contract, ending speculation that he could have played his last
game as a Giant.

"I'm just happy, I'm happy all that's over with,"
Umenyiora said in a release sent out by the team. "It's time to get back to
work. It was definitely frustrating (not being on the field this spring), but
hearing some of the things they said, whether it was Kiwi or (Justin) Tuck or
JPP (Jason Pierre-Paul) or Antrel (Rolle) – hearing the way they supported me,
it made me want to come back even more and be around them. Those guys really
stepped up for me. I really appreciate it and I'm happy to be here with
them."

"I appreciate Osi's patience and effort through this process,"
said GM Jerry Reese, who had worked out a new deal with Mathias Kiwanuka earlier
this spring. "We talked it out, and it makes sense for everybody involved. We
are very pleased, excited and looking forward to seeing number 72 on the field
at Monday's OTA."

Umenyiora has not participated in the team's drills
with his status uncertain. Terms of the contract, which has been discussed since
last year's lockout, were not disclosed but Umenyiora was clearly relieved to
remain a Giant.

"This gives me peace of mind, definitely," Umenyiora
said. "We just resolved a situation. It really was affecting me in a bad way.
Because I didn't like all the negativity that was surrounding the whole
situation. I couldn't stand it, because if you know me, you know I'm not that
type of person. I'm just happy all that is over with and I'll be there. I'll
play out this contract, I'll play this year and I'll play my heart
out.

"I'll be there," he said with regards to Monday's LOTA. "I can't
wait. I'm all in. Like Antrel says, I'm all in."

Umenyiora has long been
unhappy with the six-year, $41 million extension he signed in 2007 as other
defensive teammates were rewarded with better deals. He had one year left, due
$3.975 million this season, and his only other option at this point was to sit
out."</p></div></div>

And now, the Giants’
disgruntled defensive end doesn’t have an agent, either.

Umenyiora has
fired longtime agent Tony Agnone (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Tony+Agnone), according
to a report in the Newark Star-Ledger. The news was first reported Wednesday by
the Sports Business Journal, which noted that Agnone was no longer listed as
Umenyiora’s agent on the NFL Players Association website. Agnone said that he
had not received a termination notice, but Umenyiora said Thursday that he and
his agent had indeed parted ways.

“Fired is too harsh a word,” Umenyiora
said in an email. “I just came to the conclusion that this situation I don’t
think he can help me with.

“I have no agent currently,” he added, “and
I’m not really looking for one.”

Agnone could not be reached for comment.
The move leaves Umenyiora to negotiate by himself.

Umenyiora inked a
six-year, $41 million extension with the Giants in 2007, just before teaming
with Agnone, but as the market value for defensive ends has risen, the Big Blue
veteran has clamored for a raise. Umenyiora’s squabbles with the Giants led to a
brief training camp holdout last season, and Agnone was given a tiny window to
seek a trade. None of his proposals satisfied Reese.

Agnone and
Umenyiora, who is set to make $3.925 million in 2012, the final year of his
deal, have been angling for a trade or extension. Umenyiora claims Reese offered
him less than half the $10 million guaranteed that recently extended linebacker
Mathias Kiwanuka received.

“We need him,” Rolle said on
SiriusXM Radio. “We have a very, very good defensive line without Osi, without a
doubt. But with Osi in that line, we have an outstanding defensive
line.”

Linemate and close friend Justin Tuck also said — very cautiously
— that he hopes for an accord. “Osi’s been a part of our success here, and I
just feel as though he needs to be rewarded for that. Hopefully, the Giants can
do that,” Tuck said at an event for his charity, “R.U.S.H. for Literacy.” “I’m
not taking sides. Just stating the obvious.”</p></div>http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giant</div>[/url]<div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
<div><div><u><font size="4">NY POST</font></u>
<div><div><div><div><div><div> (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giant)<div><div><div>
GIANTS' OSI UMENYIORA FIRES AGENT, COULD REPRESENT HIMSELF (http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/giantsblog/giants_umenyiora_fires_agent_could_URlei081fVVKwYp K1rdiqN)

Umenyiora has been unhappy with his contract in recent seasons and held out
last year, and has not showed up at OTAs thus far.</p>

"It means nothing as far as a new deal but we both decided that a new
approach might be necessary at this time," Umenyiora wrote in an email to The
Post. </p>

Last year, the Giants gave Agnone permission to seek a trade, but could not
find any takers with the high asking price of a first-round round pick. The
Giants have offered the disgruntled lineman an extension, but Umenyiora said it
is only worth half of what the team guaranteed Mathias Kiwanuka ($10.95 million
over three years) in an extension agreed to this offseason. </p>

Umenyiora could take over any future negotiations himself. </p>

"I have no plans on hiring a new agent at this time," he said. </p>

Agnone has been Umenyiora’s agent since the 2007 offseason, a few months
after Umenyiora signed a six-year extension. </p>

"I'm stepping aside so the Giants can do the right thing and take care of
him," Agnone said in an email." </p>
</div>

Already, teammates Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka have made public
declarations that they believe the Giants should ante up and pay Umenyiora, who
is again locked in a contentious contract squabble with the team he’s helped
gain two Super Bowl victories in the past four years. Now add safety Antrel
Rolle into the “Pay Osi’’ camp.</p>

“My concern with Osi is one thing and one thing only,’’ Rolle said Thursday
on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “I’m hoping that he comes back. We need him. We have a
very, very good defensive line without Osi, without a doubt. But with Osi in
that lineup we have an outstanding defensive line. That’s the difference. He’s a
playmaker all the way around. He gives Eli Manning more opportunities to do what
he does best, which is go out there and run an effective offense.</p>

“Osi is a very, very critical and key part of our team and I’m just hoping
that things work out. I truly do believe he deserves what he’s asking for but,
you know, that’s not my decision to make and I don’t get involved in any of that
talk. They have a great relationship. They have a great relationship no matter
what is said, no matter what is being portrayed. Jerry Reese and Osi have a
great relationship but, you know, business is business and sometimes business
can get a little sticky. I think we all understand that.”</p>

Tuck on Thursday night reiterated that he doesn’t feel he knocked the Giants
when he said Umenyiora deserves a lucrative new deal. “It was an obvious
statement,’’ Tuck said at his Celebrity Billiards Tournament for his Tucks
R.U.S.H for Literacy charity initiative he started along with his wife, Lauran.
“Osi’s been a great part of our success here and I just feel as though he needs
to be rewarded for that and hopefully the Giants can do that. You understand the
business, you understand Jerry Reese is gonna do everything in his power and our
ownership is going to do everything in their power to put the best team forward.
I’m not really picking sides on it, I’m just stating the obvious.’’</p>

Umenyiora has steered clear of any and every Giants team event, as he’s
skipping the off-season workout program and the voluntary OTAs. He was expected
to attend Tuck’s billiard’s tournament at Slate NYC on 21st Street and Tuck is
hoping that Umenyiora accompanies the team for the June 8 visit to the White
House to meet President Obama.</p>

“Maybe,’’ Tuck said of Umenyiora’s attendance in Washington, D.C. “I’m
working on that, too.’’</p>

To date, Tuck’s efforts for literacy in children has raised over $1 million
and donated more than 45,000 books in the New York City, New Jersey and Central
Alabama communities.</p>

“Me and my wife are very passionate about education and kids,’’ Tuck said.
“We felt as though in order to have a great education you have to have a
background, you have to have a foundation. You ask anybody about foundations of
educational success it starts with reading and writing.’’
</p></div>http://www.nypost.com/sports/giants
</div></div></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div><u><font size="4">THE BERGEN RECORD</font></u>
<div><div><div><div><div><div><div>
http://www.northjersey.com/sports/pro_sports/football/

<u><font size="4">WALL STREET JOURNAL</font></u>

ZILCH

http://online.wsj.com/public/page/news-sports-nfl.html

<u><font size="4">THE NEW YORK TIMES</font></u>

NICKS TO JOIN GIANTS ON WHITE HOUSE TRIP (http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/31/nicks-to-join-giants-on-white-house-trip/?ref=football)

Nicks plans to be with the team when it visits the White House on June 8,
though the timetable for his return to football activities remains fluid. Nicks
is confident, however, that he will be recovered from his broken foot in time to
play in the Giants’ season-opening game Sept. 5 against the Dallas Cowboys.</p>

“I don’t have any doubt,” he said in a conference call with reporters.</p>

<span id="more-104350"></span></p>

Nicks, who had surgery last Friday to repair the fifth metatarsal in his
right foot, which he fractured May 24, is in a walking boot. He said he was
“walking around pretty good.” The Giants have said the rough timetable for his
recovery is 12 weeks, and while doctors told Nicks that he could come back as
soon as four weeks after the injury, he plans to adhere to the team’s protocol.
He is proceeding as if he will be able to take part, in some fashion, in the
Giants’ training camp, which begins July 26.</p>

“That’s my mentality,” he told reporters. “I like having that mentality.
Obviously, if I feel something when I’m running, I’m going to listen to my body.
I’m going to be smart.”</p>

Nicks is still at home in Charlotte, N.C. He said he was generally a fast
healer. He plans to help with some of the team’s younger receivers after he
travels to New York next week. Then comes the team’s visit with President Obama
and soon enough Nicks hopes to be back to full participation.</p>

“My first day, I’m not going to jump in and do the whole practice,” he said.
“I’m going to work my way into it, into a full practice. Our trainers do a good
job of working me back into it.”</p></div></div>

JETS; HEAD COACH REX RYAN: WE WANT TO BE LIKE THE NEW YORK GIANTS (http://www.giants101.com/2012/06/01/new-york-jets-head-coach-rex-ryan-we-want-to-be-like-the-new-york-giants/)

"Remember that false bravado <a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with New York Jets" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/new-york-jets/" rel="tag nofollow">New York
Jets</a> head coach Rex Ryan (http://www.giants101.com/tag/rex-ryan/) was slinging around the Big Apple only a year
ago? Guaranteeing a Super Bowl victory for Gang Green, having curtains hung up
in MetLife Stadium to cover murals of the <a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with New York Giants" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/new-york-giants/" rel="tag nofollow">New York
Giants</a>' past success and relishing a 17-3 preseason victory over Big Blue in
which he received that ridiculous Snoopy Trophy? Well, that's all out the window
now and a humbled Ryan admitted on Thursday he'd like his team to be a lot more like the Giants (http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/7994862/rex-ryan-new-york-jets-wants-new-york-giants).
<blockquote>

"I want to win, I want to be special. Just like the Giants were last year, I
want to be special. So that's what's driving me," Ryan said.</p></blockquote>

How the "mighty" have fallen. Less than two years removed from ripping the
Giants apart for an entire chapter in his book, referring to the Jets as the
"Big Brother" in this town, Ryan now envies the Giants and their accomplishments
… wishing nothing more than to experience a tiny bit of their success.</p>
<blockquote>

"I admit it, I made a mistake by saying all that stuff before," said
Ryan.</p></blockquote>

Alas, the Giants' motto proved true once again: "Talk is cheap. Play the
game." They won it all with the Jets sitting at home watching. And ironically,
their run to Super Bowl XLVI truly began with a 29-14 victory over Gang Green in
week 16 … a game that ended with <a href="http://www.giants101.com/2011/12/24/new-york-giants-brandon-jacobs-new-york-jets-rex-ryan-involved-in-postgame-altercation/" target="_blank">Ryan and running back Brandon Jacobs going
toe-to-toe</a>.</p>

We'll miss Ryan running his mouth, but then again, something tells us this
more subdued head coach persona will likely be short lived."
</p>GIANTS' OSI UMENYIORA FIRES AGENT (http://www.giants101.com/2012/06/01/new-york-giants-osi-umenyiora-fires-agent-tony-agnone/)

"Fired is too harsh a word," Umenyiora wrote. "I just came to the conclusion
that this situation I don't think he can help me with."</p></blockquote>

As it turns out, this is the second time Umenyiora has fired Agnone this
offseason, although the first time went largely unnoticed and he was eventually
hired back. However, after again failing to land Umenyiora a new contract or a
trade elsewhere, the Chief has decided to go in a different direction.</p>
<blockquote>

Agnone was originally hired by Umenyiora in 2007 at the urging of Michael
Strahan, whom was also represented by the agent. This came shortly after Osi
signed a six-year contract extension which he believed was only a five-year
extension running through 2011.</p>

Unless Umenyiora plans to represent himself or is quick to find a new agent,
it could mean that contract talks between the two sides come to a dead stop."
</p>OSI UMENYIORA, GIANTS ACTIVELY DISCUSSING NEW CONTRACT (http://www.giants101.com/2012/05/31/new-york-giants-osi-umenyiora-actively-discussing-new-contract/)

"Rome wasn't built in a day, and the <a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with New York Giants" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/new-york-giants/" rel="tag nofollow">New York
Giants</a> and defensive end <a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with Osi Umenyiora" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/osi-umenyiora/" rel="tag nofollow">Osi
Umenyiora</a> aren't likely to come to an agreement on a new contract in that
amount of time either. However, it's all about progress and that's exactly
what's occurring between Big Blue and the Chief. ESPN's <a href="http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=7988707" target="_blank">Sal Paolantonio
reports</a> that despite the significant gap between the two sides, they have
continued actively discussing a new contract for the former Pro Bowler.

Umenyiora has received a lot of support from his teammates recently, with
many of them speaking out publicly. It began with Justin Tuck (http://www.giants101.com/2012/05/30/new-york-giants-justin-tuck-defends-friend-teammate-osi-umenyiora/) and continued with <a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with Mathias Kiwanuka" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/mathias-kiwanuka/" rel="tag nofollow">Mathias
Kiwanuka</a> on Wednesday.</p>
<blockquote>

"He has been under contract in a bad deal for years now and anybody who looks
at the situation would say, ‘Well, this should have been taken care of a long
time ago,’” said LB <a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with Mathias Kiwanuka" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/mathias-kiwanuka/" rel="tag nofollow">Mathias
Kiwanuka</a>. “For whatever reason, it hasn’t. So I understand his
frustration.”</p></blockquote>

The endorsements haven't been lost on Osi, who says it's made this entire
situation that much more difficult for him.</p>
<blockquote>

“What I’ve heard from Kiwi, and Tuck and JPP, I’ll never forget as long as I
live,” Umenyiora said (http://www.northjersey.com/sports/Giants_Kiwanuka_discusses_Umenyioras_contract.html ). “That’s exactly why we are champions. Because
we have each other’s back. These days you hardly see that kind of loyalty from
anybody. I appreciate it, and honestly it makes things that much harder for me.
Because those are the people I need to be around.”</p></blockquote>

Osi has been absent from the voluntary Organized Team Activities (OTAs), but
will be expected to attend mandatory veteran mini-camp which begins on June
12th. Whether or not the two sides can bridge the gap in contract talks between
now and then may play a large role in him showing up or choosing to be
fined."</p>http://www.giants101.com/

Excerpt: "Good morning fellow Giants fans. It's Friday and there are some news items
flowing out of "OTA No. 3" as they are calling it. It's mostly the same stuff
though--players defending Osi Umenyiora (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2262/osi-umenyiora)
during his contract holdout, talk about Hakeem Nicks (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/71294/hakeem-nicks)'
foot and whether or not he will be ready for the September 5 opener, Victor Cruz (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/109584/victor-cruz)
making kids cry with his salsa dance, Rex Ryan wanting the Jets to be the
Giants....whoa, wait a minute. What were those last two items? I thought you'd
want to read more, so here are all of those stories...." Read more

"Injured New York Giants (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/new-york-giants)
wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/71294/hakeem-nicks),
who broke a bone in his foot during an OTA a week ago, said "I don't have any
doubt" when asked if he would be <a href="http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/giants/hakeem-nicks-won-t-rush-recovery-risk-setbacks-1.3752905?qr=1">ready
for the team's Sept. 5 season opener</a> against the Dallas Cowboys (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/dallas-cowboys).<div class="entry-body">

The original prognosis for Nicks is that his recovery will take 12 weeks, and
Giants head coach Tom Coughlin has said he is uncertain when Nicks will
return.</p>

"I definitely feel like I'll be ready to go when it's time to be ready to
go," Nicks said on Thursday during a conference call.</p>

"We just don't want no setbacks. The team wants to take it 12 weeks, that's
what we're giving it, so that's what we're going to go by. My goal is always to
come back earlier, we just don't want no setbacks. We have to play it smart and
be ready for the season."</p>

Nicks caught 79 passes for 1,192 yards and seven touchdowns last season,
averaging 15.7 yards per catch. He is entering his fourth season."
</p></div>NY GIANTS' LINEBACKERS: A GUESS AT THE DEPTH CHART (http://www.bigblueview.com/2012/5/31/3054835/new-york-giants-linebackers-a-guess-at-the-depth-chart)

"Reading the transcript of Perry Fewell's remarks (http://www.bigblueview.com/2012/5/30/3053778/perry-fewell-press-conference-05-30-12-new-york-giants) after Wednesday's OTA I
was struck by how much the New York Giants (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/new-york-giants)
defensive coordinator talked about the depth and versatility of the linebacking
group.
<div class="entry-body">

Fewell's response when asked how he would envision using his
linebackers gave you the idea that he really doesn't know the answer right now.
</p>

"I think it's important to see where guys fit with other guys... if we can
play different combinations. That's kind of what we would like to do. That gives
us an array of coverages, of pressures, of defenses that we would like to run.
We'll try some different combinations that we will experiment with during the
OTAs," Fewell said. "We're experimenting a little bit because with the addition
of Rivers, obviously, we've gotten more athletic and we think we're a little
better at linebacker now."</p>
<p class="extend-divide"><a name="storyjump"></a>http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg</p>

Here is my best guess at what the linebacker depth chart looks like right
now, with Fewell having revealed that second-year player Greg Jones is being
moved to the outside and Adrian Tracy (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/108469/adrian-tracy)
will play defensive end.</p>

Strongside (SAM) -- <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2229/mathias-kiwanuka">Mathias
Kiwanuka</a>, Greg Jones, Clint Sintim (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/71295/clint-sintim)
[The Giants might also have the option of moving someone like Herzlich out here,
but that has not been mentioned].</p>

All 10 of these guys are not making the roster. It should be very interesting
to see how this shakes out, and which combinations Fewell and head coach Tom
Coughlin utlimately decide are their best ones."</p></div>http://www.bigblueview.com/section/news

"First the good news. No one had to be carted off the field today, though
early on, there was a brief scare when cornerback Brandon Bing
headed to the sideline after apparently tweaking something in his right leg.
Bing was quickly worked on by the trainers and thrown back in the saddle, not
missing a beat. <span id="more-4500"></span>

So let’s move on then to the attendance report. Missing in action today were
cornerback Corey Webster, defensive end Osi
Umenyiora, defensive tackle Shaun Rogers, tight end
Jake Ballard, tight end Adrien Robinson, and
receiver Hakeem Nicks. Webster and Rogers was the only player
whose absence was unknown, though remember that OTAs are voluntary.</p>

Safety Kenny Phillips, defensive end Justin Tuck, left
tackle Will Beatty, cornerback Prince
Amukamara, and cornerback Terrell Thomas were all held
out of the team portion of the practice. Tuck was seen in the locker room with a
large wrap on his left shoulder, so that might be the reason for his limited
work.</p>

Beatty, we learned, has been having back issues, while Amukamara continues to
work his way back from a foot injury after finally being cleared to run on grass
this week. Lastly, Thomas continues to take it slow in his recovery, doing a
little bit more each time but not overdoing it.</p>

Tight end Travis Beckum was also a spectator. Beckum told me
that last week, he began running in a pool and was encouraged by his progress.
He hopes to be able to begin running on grass in another couple of months.
However, as far as being ready for the start of the season? Let’s just say
that’s an aggressive goal at this point though it’s one that Beckum is working
toward.</p>

Linebacker Clint Sintim (knee) was off on an empty field
working with a trainer while the rest of the team was on another field going
through warm ups. It goes without saying that Sintim has missed a lot of time
and if he’s not yet cleared to go full speed in these practices, which are
limited by the new CBA, then that has to be a concern, though Sintim continues
to remind people to not count him out of the equation. However, it would seem
that the team’s decision to extend Mathias
Kiwanuka likely spells the end of Sintim, the former
second round draft pick in 2009 who’s entering the last year of his contract
this season.</p>

One of the things that I find to be particularly interesting in these
workouts is comparing my observations with what the coaches have to say
afterward. Today we were given access to all the position coaches, so I spent a
lot of time trying to gain that insight.</p>

Let’s start with receiver Domenik Hixon, who with Hakeem
Nicks out, stepped in with the starters and who had a productive day. I don’t
think Hixon dropped a single catchable pass thrown his way all day, and he
showed nice burst coming off the line. He also continued to look well in making
his cuts – if you didn’t know any better, you wouldn’t think that Hixon was
trying to come back from his second straight knee injury.</p>

That’s no accident, according to Hixon, who told the media afterward practice
that he doesn’t even think about his knee nor does he talk about it unless
someone asks him about it. Citing “mind over matter,” Hixon recognizes the
opportunity before him and has clearly taken an early lead, at least in my
opinion.</p>

Coughlin has noticed as well. “Same old Domenik. Make plays, make plays, make
plays. Very, very steady, very consistent, never makes a mistake, always in the
right place — lots of good things. It makes me very anxious to make sure he gets
through the spring and feels real good about himself. He’s a tough guy. He
doesn’t back down from anything. Again, he’s a great example.”</p>

On the other side of the coin is Ramses Barden, who’s
entering his contract year and who is hoping to finally put it all together this
season. The former third round draft pick from 2009 has spent the last year and
a half battling an ankle injury, but he’s finally healthy and has been a
consistent participant in the off-season program.</p>

However his performance, at least bin my eyes, hasn’t been as consistent. His
routes aren’t as crisp as they probably should be at this point, and it seems
that he wants to make every reception worthy of a highlight reel.</p>

For example, on a post, he managed to get a step against two defenders and
all he had to do was reach up and grab the ball out of the air. Instead, he left
his feet, and in doing so, he slowed down his stride that allowed the defenders
to catch up with him. If Barden is going to continue to try to add flourish to
every reception, he’s not going to have much in the way of yards after the
catch.</p>

I’ll give you one more example. On a ball that was thrown just below his
numbers, all he had to do was cup his hands to cradle the ball against his
chest. Instead, he bent down to catch it, losing momentum in the process.</p>

Not surprisingly, when asked about Barden after practice, Coughlin said,
“Some days are very, very good, and others are not as good,” he said. “He knows
that, and he’s working hard on that. Hopefully it’s all going to catch up with
Ramses this spring and this fall.”</p>

Coughlin did allow that the time Barden has spent away from the game due to
his injuries and rehab puts Barden even further behind. “It never helps, the
pressure of preparing and being evaluated on the field every day– those are all
good things in our business.”</p>

Over to the offensive line, James Brewer took the snaps for
Will Beatty at left tackle with the one’s, though he rotates with others and
gets his share of snaps at right tackle, where he thinks his best chance to
contribute lies.</p>

After practice, Brewer spoke about how much more comfortable he is these days
and confirmed that he’s also been getting snaps at right tackle (sharing with
Sean Locklear) depending on the day.</p>

Brewer noted that having an actual off-season to work with his teammates and
now his coaches has made a big difference.</p>

“It’s a huge difference, not only with the OTAs, but what we did before the
OTAs,” he said. “We had a lot of meetings just with the linemen and stuff, and
it’s crazy how, like, we were able to slow it down.”</p>

Brewer noted that last year, he was handed a thick playbook and left to sink
or swim. Now that he has the benefit of working on –site and receiving
instruction from the coaches, he’s been able to make the kind of progress he
wants, though he admitted tat he still has a bit more work to do before he
scratches the surface.</p>

“We need him to develop, to come along, to improve,” said Coughlin. “He has
to understand the work ethic that those guys with lunch buckets come to the
office with every day. He’s got a little ways to go there, but he’s made
progress, and I think for him, it will be another little step right here. But
come fall, we’re going to need him to be as intense as he possibly can be and to
understand what has to happen at this level for him to succeed and to be a part
of it.”</p>

Here are just a few more observations…</p>

–Tight end Martellus Bennett, who took part in the drills,
was revealed to be dealing with a tight hamstring, which is probably the reason
why he hasn’t done a whole lot in the way of running pass patterns, and when he
has, he’s looked stiff.</p>

–Linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka had a very productive practice.
He sniffed out a reverse to Victor Cruz and was right there to stop the receiver
stone cold. Kiwanuka also showed great athleticism and timing in his drop
back.</p>

– I thought quarterback Ryan Perrilloux had a mixed showing.
At times, he threw with confidence. Then there were others were he appeared to
be unsure about what he was looking at and the ball lacked zip, such as the pass
that Stevie Brown picked off that was intended for Brandon Collins.</p>

–Fullback Joe Martinek, who looked hesitant in the first
OTA, looked much more at ease in this workout as far as executing his
assignments. While his technique wasn’t always spot on – it looks like he’s
going to have to watch his pad level — he did a nice job as a back out of the
backfield, especially on swing passes. It will be interesting to see if he shows
more speed after the catch, as on a couple of receptions, he hesitated and was
forced out of bounds by defenders who were closing in.</p>

–The starting fullback, Henry Hynoski, caught one pass and
started up field, showing some nice footwork in twisting and moving away from
defenders. My gut feeling is that Hynoski’s role will be very similar to how
Green Bay uses its fullback, John Kuhn. While <a href="http://insidefootball.com/blog/archives/4491">Hynoski admitted to having a
few more rough spots to smooth out in his game</a>, it’s going to be fun to
watch him this year.</p>

–Linebacker Keith Rivers, who’s working with the second
string team now on the weak side, broke up a pass tight end Christian
Hopkins."</p>http://www.insidefootball.com/

"According to Mike Garafolo of the Newark Star-Ledger (http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/05/giants_osi_umenyiora_fires_age.html), New York Giants
defensive end Osi Umenyiora fired his agent Tony Agnone.

Umenyiora didn’t want to say he fired Agnone, but he did confirm that he’s no
longer his agent.</p>

Osi doesn’t feel like Agnone can help him work out his contract dilemma with
the Giants.</p>

“Fired is too harsh a word,” Umenyiora wrote, though he made it clear that’s
what’s occurred, per the Star-Ledger. “I just came to the conclusion that this
situation I don’t think he can help me with.”</p>

Umenyiora says that he doesn’t have an agent and is currently not looking for
one.</p>

“I have no agent currently,” wrote Umenyiora, “and I’m not really looking for
one.”</p>OSI UMENYIORA, GIANTS STILL NOT CLOSE ON LONG TERM DEAL (http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/osi_umenyiora_giants_still_not_close_on_a_long_ter m_deal/10916063)

"Osi Umenyiora has been complaining about his contract for
years and this offseason is no different. Umenyiora, who is heading into a
contract year, is in talks with the Giants, but they remain far apart. Umenyiora
likely wants to be paid among the best defensive linemen in the league and the
Giants simply won’t spend that on a situational player.

Umenyiora fired his long time agent, which is not a good sign for
negotiations. He may hold out from the Giants’ mandatory minicamps in mid-June,
but he has never held out from a game. He probably won’t get a deal done before
the season so he’ll probably play out the season and then try for a new deal
next offseason. He may have to get it elsewhere."</p><font size="3">http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/teams/new_york_giants/56</font> (http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/teams/new_york_giants/56)
<font size="4">
<u>SPORTING NEWS

After missing most of his rookie season with a hamstring injury, New York
Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz had a breakout season in 2011. He caught 82
passes for 1,536 yards and nine touchdowns in the regular season and then added
21 receptions for 269 yards and a touchdown during the Giants' title run.<div id="yui_3_4_1_1_1338497615203_756" class="articleText">

Three issues, however, could potentially stand in his way of repeating last
year's performance:</p>

First, Cruz's role in the offense could change with the departure of Mario Manningham (/players/mariomanningham/profile?id=MAN547041) in
free agency coupled with <a id="yui_3_4_1_1_1338497615203_1008" class="player-flyout" href="/players/hakeemnicks/profile?id=NIC726593">Hakeem
Nicks</a>' broken foot. Instead of playing his natural slot position, Cruz will
get a chance to work on the outside. Playing on the edge isn't necessarily more
difficult in Kevin Gilbride's offense, but it is a change from what he's
accustomed to doing and could take away from the big-play ability he had in
2011.</p>

So far, so good (http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/05/giants_kevin_gilbride_says_vic.html), though, offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride
said Wednesday:</p>

"It took him a while to get going (in 2011). He didn't start the year real
well and then all of a sudden, in that Philadelphia (Eagles) game, he made two
phenomenal plays for us," Gilbride said. "But truly in the beginning of the
year, every play was an adventure. He was either going to be right or awfully
wrong but got better and better and better at eliminating the mistakes...That's
what's nice about now. It's like he hasn't missed a beat."</p>

Secondly, during his breakout season, Cruz's compelling back story (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/05/sports/football/giants-victor-cruz-defied-odds-at-umass.html?pagewanted=all) elevated his "Q" rating to the point at
which he hired a marketing firm (IMG) to handle all his demands. Cruz already
demonstrated restraint and focus by turning down an opportunity to appear on
"Dancing With The Stars". Based on his OTA participation and performance,
off-field distractions haven't been an issue.</p>

A third issue is Cruz's contract, which paid him the league minimum
($450,000) in 2011 and will do so again in 2012 ($540,000). The 25-year-old
hasn't hidden his desire for a new and much larger contract. He fired his
original agent (Abu Toppin) and hired Malik Shareef this offseason.</p>

Cruz repeatedly has said that he won't be a training camp holdout (http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/04/20/giants-victor-cruz-reiterates-vow-not-to-hold-out/), which could be due to
Cruz not having earned enough income from football to pay the daily fines the
Giants can levy against him if he did hold out. Another part of the decision to
not hold out of camp is Cruz knowing that he's under club control for the next
two seasons. Cruz will be a restricted free agent in 2013 and could receive the
franchise tag in each of the next two offseasons.</p>

Being one of the most productive and most underpaid players on a Super Bowl
team in the largest media market in the world could have been a recipe for
disaster this offseason. Thus far, Cruz has navigated around the distractions as
adeptly as he did opposing secondaries in 2011. Cruz will need to continue to do
so to maintain his production and show the front office and coaching staff that
he deserves the new contract he seeks."</p>

"When Hakeem Nicks (/players/hakeemnicks/profile?id=NIC726593) was diagnosed
a week ago with a broken fifth metatarsal in his right foot, the Giants wide
receiver didn't have to look far for an expert opinion.</p>

His teammate, running back <a id="yui_3_4_1_2_1338497768812_1164" class="player-flyout" href="/players/ahmadbradshaw/profile?id=BRA254359">Ahmad
Bradshaw</a>, has a doctorate, or something darn close to it, in foot and ankle
issues. Among Bradshaw's myriad of injuries, three were identical to the one
Hicks sustained. And he has the screws in his feet to prove it.</p>

"Two times on the right foot," Bradshaw said. "Once on the left."</p>

No wonder after Hicks' break was revealed, he sought out Bradshaw for
guidance.</p>

"I told him it heals quick," Bradshaw said. "I told him it was not that
bad."</p>

Nicks' response?</p>

"It looked like it took a lot (of weight) off his shoulders," Bradshaw
said.</p>

Bradshaw's confidence in Nicks' recovery is resolute. He believes there is
"no doubt" Nicks is back on the field during training camp. For now, the Giants
continue Organized Team Activities and look forward to mandatory minicamp in two
weeks without half of their dynamic receiving tandem.</p>

The coach likely would settle for <a id="yui_3_4_1_2_1338497768812_1168" class="player-flyout" href="/players/domenikhixon/profile?id=HIX462619">Domenik
Hixon</a> staying healthy. He's torn his right ACL the past two years but
remains a Coughlin favorite.</p>

Because of those knee injuries, Hixon has caught four passes over the past
two years.</p>

"It makes me very anxious to make sure that he gets through the spring and
feels real good about himself," Coughlin said.</p>

Among the other candidates to replace Nicks are Ramses Barden (/players/ramsesbarden/profile?id=BAR116168), whose most
consistent trait in three previous seasons has been his penchant for
inconsistency, Jerrel Jernigan (/players/jerreljernigan/profile?id=JER463741) and
rookie Rueben Randle.</p>

Randle's best work so far, according to Coughlin, has come on the punt team,
where his natural talent and instincts shine. Cruz said he is encouraged that
Randle will pick up the offense quickly, partly because "he asks the right
questions."</p>

The Giants' receiving corps has been further compromised in recent months by
the departure in free agency of <a id="yui_3_4_1_2_1338497768812_1171" class="player-flyout" href="/players/mariomanningham/profile?id=MAN547041">Mario
Manningham</a> to the 49ers. Randle was told after the draft that he would
compete for the No. 3 receiver job. At the moment, the opportunity is much
grander than even that.</p>

The regular season remains more than three months away, so the lack of proven
starters at receiver is hardly alarming for two reasons.</p>

One: No one's keeping score yet. And, frankly, you could argue some of the
other guys need the work. Hixon said the biggest difference without Nicks is the
number of practice reps for the rest of the group.</p>

"They went up for everyone," he said.</p>
<p id="yui_3_4_1_2_1338497768812_1526">Two: Eli Manning inspires
confidence that he will be able to help young receivers develop, and
quickly. Reference Cruz's franchise
record-setting season in 2012.</p>

"He is responsive to the circumstance," is how Coughlin describes Manning.
"Whatever our team's needs are, he is going to do the best that he can to help
regardless. So he has bought complete ownership of his team. He continues to get
better himself and to help everybody around him get better."</p>

There is no doubt, however, that the Giants are better with Nicks than
without him. Manning will predict that Nicks' conditioning and commitment to the
playbook wil

BigBlue1971

06-01-2012, 01:22 PM

thanks Roanoke!</P>

without an agent maybe it'll be easier to deal with Osi! lol.</P>

RoanokeFan

06-01-2012, 01:25 PM

thanks Roanoke!</p>

without an agent maybe it'll be easier to deal with Osi! lol.</p>

Somehow I think not. Osi doesn't seem to want to negotiate, he just wants what he wants. Understandable, perhaps, but that's not how it goes.